CTICR consultations on the doctrinal statement for the ordination of both women and men.

04Apr

The CTICR is now working with the request of the last Convention to prepare a doctrinal statement supporting the ordination of both women and men. They are currently running ‘consultation’s’ around Australia and New Zealand to move beyond their first draft. This last weekend there was a consultation at Blair Athol and Glenelg in South Australia. Many clergy were present, some of whom wanted to argue down women’s ordination or the process, despite facilitation stating that it was not a forum for argument.
The statement was limited because of the need for diplomacy within the CTICR and did not clearly reflect the Convention request. Rather, it appeared to provide fodder for further debate, starting from the current theological position.
One would have thought that the Convention request required the CTICR to present the clear gospel mandate for equality amongst God’s children. There is rich material that those supporting women’s ordination might have drawn on. If CTICR is compromised because of its membership, then a sub-committee or another body should be given the task to provide the necessary material for the LCA to journey into a rich future.

While the rhetoric of having patience is used, that is from the lethargic perspective of the comfortable. It is not the perspective of those who are distressed and/or have left the LCA.

8 responses to “CTICR consultations on the doctrinal statement for the ordination of both women and men.”

Hmmmmm. I think it might be another case of theocracy versus democracy. Theocrats have always resisted change – in god’s name. These days democracy has a good chance of winning over theocracy. What god’s golden-haired boys said and did 3000 years ago no longer counts when it comes to sticking up for decency, equality, fairness … The LCA will shhortly run out of members. The few preachers that are left will end their professional lives preaching to themselves. I’d say they’re on a hiding to nothing.

I note that this blog site contains much passionate argument for Women’s Ordination, and with this idea I do not have such a problem; However, I also note extremely heretical content from such “worthies” as Bishop Rimbo and Bishop Spong, which this site therefore seems to support by association; The Biblical answer is below:

Matthew 15:8-9

This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”

Matthew 7:13-14

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Proof texts are of limited value as they can be responded to with other proof texts, (if one wanted to play that game). Jesus modelled love and set the example of loving those who are suffering. The only way into God’s realm is through Jesus. You’ll have to leave it to God to determine whether anyone is a follower of Jesus.

“Many clergy were present, some of whom wanted to argue down women’s ordination or the process, despite facilitation stating that it was not a forum for argument.”

Well, this is a mistruth if I’ve ever read one. There were a number of Clergy, but one could not suggest ‘many’ as if they were anywhere near the level of the laity. Neither could one in all, or indeed any, honesty claim they attempted to use the discussions as a platform for arguing against the ordination of women. In fact, having been there personally, quite the opposite was true. Several members of the laity, when asked to discuss any particulars of the current paper, took it upon themselves to express their thoughts, not discussing the contents of the draft whatsoever. Some even wanted to silence the members of the CTICR who are against such a proposal.

Please, enjoy the freedom of having your own opinion without disparaging thosse who don’t share it with mistruth. Need I remind you of the 8th commandment and Luther’s explanation:

‘You are not to bear false witness against your neighbour.’ What is this? Answer: We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbours, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light.

Thanks, Joseph.
1. Any imputed lack of ethics is denied.
2. Perhaps you were at a different consultation.
3. ‘some of whom wanted to argue down women’s ordination’ – that’s just how it was.
4. Clergy numbers were very high – maybe 40% at our consultation – Incredibly high given the small proportion that they are in the LCA.
5. Perhaps it’s all in the perspective with which participants arrived.
6. Using Scripture to reprimand someone may have worked to control those stepping out of line at one stage but these days it says something less than complimentary things about the speaker. Perhaps a better way to begin to communicate would be to work at understanding the grief experienced by those who have been excluded from pastoral leadership for so long.

I am preparing a questionnaire for a research project in my Reformation History Class at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Baguio, Philippines. Topic: “How do women of LCP (Lutheran Church in the Philippines) view the Reformation and their role in the contemporary church.” LCP ordains men only, a churchly Praxis they inherited from Missoury Synod. I find your Blog very helpful. To ordain men only served the culture of the church in the 16th century. It is outdated and time to move on. May I ask your permission to share your Blog with women groups in the Philippines? Thanks. God bless.

You may certainly share anything on this blog with any groups. Without women’s leadership any church loses connection with current generations who have been blessed with women’s leadership in all other parts of their lives.